Tobacco-leaf-stemming machine.



J. P. SGOVILL.

TOBACCO LEAF STBMMING'MAGHINB.

APPLICATION FILED APR.15.1912.

7 147 Patented July 8,1913.

5 SHEETSSHEET 1.

-Iiiilililililiih l g 151m k ilililiililil l J. P. SOOVILL.

womcoo LEAF STEMMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.15, 19 12. ggy ggy Patented July 8, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

awumdo'o Womcqy J. P. SGOVILL. TOBACCO LEAF STEMMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APB..15, 1912.

Patented July 8, 1913.

5 SHEET3-SKEET 3.

since/$01,

, J. P. SGGVELL. TOBACCO LEAF STEMMIHG n1 AGBINE.

AYPLIGATIOH FILED AYE,15.1312.

Patente July 8, 1913.

5 SEEET8-SHEET Y max m WIZZVESSES WWI v Altormy;

J. P. SGOVILL. V

TOBACCO LEAF STEMMING MACHINE. Ayrrjmnmn FILED H1215, 1912.

LGGAML Patented July 8,1913.

5 SHEETS-SEEP]? 5.

I Wmf A tlameys all sexism it may; concern:

the Unit-eel Sctes, 1681:3115 stin 0 county. oii'ltlilllibfill encl .bil i We i'ie tetl certsin new iprovenients in schines whim is specince on. 1.4:] inventor; 1 to sQ stemming invention stripping the lest in two cheese 11s, first in one, and then in the other direction of the stem. The piovision of mechanism for pulling the stem in o e itliiection stripping, then polling at angle to its i travel for the second s vision of rolls having new sti' oping instrurnent-slit-ies and characteristics. The provision of stripping ins sriiment-slities, the coin- Donents of which have resilience. The pro-vision Oif fisst p of stripping soils having relatively soft resilient strip h the are :The plGYlSlOn of rnec smsin The primary cs e ping; elements, and n seconc sale of rolls having neletively harsh eesi -ent stripping elements, enabling the first stripping to be counter to the lee-i gee-in, or "toward the butt, and the secondoperzlsion to be in the general, direction of gain, 01 toward the op. The incorporation of lea-I" repelling elements into cooperative insiiip with the str p ping instriiinents'li ncrease the stemping eiiicienc s n them clear of the products tending to ere. thei'eto The setting of the rolls st'i'ipping instrurnentalities 603C113 lationship. The projecting shoitor broke; first stripping opeist' means for sppiroprist 'iezives from the first piliii. operation to the elements the second pulling and st-Ii The organization of t and stripping inst: c: tsrv' system for sequential and continiioi. operation inc manner to present the stems from becoming broken by the counter foicces be milling ililfl strio or by the method A I an he first to the 1e psovision 'if? 1 to he expedition parts. The

'ss comesisi'z,

ant-l cleanly peace of bro-ti varying exigencies incident to she difi ei'ent kinds andccnciitions of leaves obtaining inthe commercial field. l

I have shown in the accompanying drawngs forming a part of this specification, the )refei-red type of machine and the preferred ti'iicture components, ancl organization of he respective elements which in the light; '5 this disclosure may be variously modified Without departing from the teachings of the specification. These Vdl'llOUS features of the invention will be more fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings, fcrmin a part of this specification, and showing the preferred embodiments thereof, in which- Figure l is a top plan ViEW of my tobacco stemming'mechine. Fig. 2 is an enlarged def tail sectional view of a portion of the second stein gripping carrier illustratinga series of yielding plungeis for" maintaining the belts in gripping engagement with each other. Fig. 3 is a section on line w, w, 2. i is a side elevation of the machine. is an eiicl elevation of he opposite de of the machine from that shown in Fig. 6 is a section on line re, 33, 7 is a central vertical section e machine taken through the s :3 sing so! Fig. 8 is an enlarged and elevs'iio one o1 tlie stripping ZOlls for initi is an enlarged (letsiletl the spring \sctnsteci plnngi :zintsining the main 01 iew of'the main csi risi z in rolls, second f cross or second carrier belts. Fig. 1.31s a plan'view of one of the second stripping rolls. Fig. 14 is an enlarged end elevation of stem embedment into the stripping members.

While the mechanical elements of the-Inachine shown in thedrawings are quite numerous, the operative members unitarily considered are relatively few in number, simple in construction and assembledin a I coeperative. organization readily, under on front and rear sheaves 4;

' tering stood.

In order tofirst disclose the general principles of construction and mode of opera tion, I will first describe thepreferred embodiment of the invention from its bro-ader aspect and conclude with'a description of the details of structure and arrangement, including the. driving and transmission mechanisms.

' The operative members comprise,fa main or initial stein'gripping carrier, a supplemental feeder cooperating therewith for en-' he leaf, initial stripping rolls cove with the initial stem gripping caropera rier, re ecting rolls in front of and coop.

erating with the initial st-ripping'rolls to separate'out the short or broken leaves, a second stem -grippingcarrier arranged to cooperate with the initial carrier to shiftthe stem grip and direction ofqleaff-travel, and

stripping rolls cooperating'with said second carrier. The initial 'stem-grippmg' carrier, (see Figs. 1 and 7.)'The fram e comprises theside members 1, 2, supportinglthe working members, as'though they were setfupon a table. w j p 3 represents an upper endless belt turning 5, respectively.

6 is the'cotip erating under endless belt member turning on front and rear sheaves 7 and 8 respectively and .riding ov er theintermediate sheave 9 vertically alined with endless belt 10, whi l sheave 4, so .-that the front end ofbelt 6 is projected forwardly in advance of sheaves 4 and 9. The sheaves 7 and 9 are longer than sheaves 4c, 5 and 8, and upon the sheaves 7 and 9, at one side of belt 6, is a.feeder tate in the pi. the forwardly --e1\"tended end of belt u, so that a leaf can be laid lengthwise thereon, as shown in dot- Fig. 1c i a dia- "angle being presented pro'ximity.

l thus caused to ro- Loewe?- gripping surfaces of belts '3 and 6, which,

grip takes" passes between sheaves 4: and 9L- These endless belts 3,

gripping carrier extending from the front 6, constitute the initial stem hold of one of the-leaves asit tofrear end ofthe machine, butarranged to' releasethe' grip at an intermediate point, as

.will be later explained.

' Initial stripping rolls, (see Figs. Land 'Z.).11,12, represent the initial stripping .rolls having stripping elements, tobe later "described in detail. These rolls-are set in.

vertical alinement withtheir meeting ta'ngentialline in the horizontal plane ofjthe gripping surfaces of beltsflfii. These rolls are disposed atan angle tothe belts 3,6, and-closely adjacent thereto, the apex of the havingtapered ends at this point to permit the free end of the gripped leaf to enter the tial portions of tangential line. y direction indicated by the arrow, Fig. 7, to advance the leaf -from the front to the rear of-the machine, and the rolls ll, 12,.rotatel relatively in the opposite directions, whereby the free portion of the leaf is drawn endwise between the rolls in opposition to the said rolls at theircommon towardthe front-end of the machine, one or both of-said rolls The belts 8, 6, travel in a stripping zone formed by the circumferencounter-drag imposed by the direction of rotation of said rollsrelative to the direction of travel of the carrier belts, the stripping thus commencin at an .inteimediate portion of the leafan working toward'the en% of the ungrippedportion of the stem.

resent rolls in front of and alined'with rolls 11, 12, and rotatin in the same general direction. Preferab y the :roll- 18 is of greater diameter and base fiber or brush-- like peripheral surface, while roll leis-a smaller, smooth rolll and repelling rolls ar'e -in relatively. close Between them and above them is the outlet rect'a blast of air downwardly between the rolls, the function of which is tocatch the- The stripping rolls' epellz'ng instmme'ntalities.'13, 14, rep- 7 7 11b 15 ofa blower arranged to di-' 1 leaf matter freed from the stem by thes'tripv i ping rolls and carry it downwardly with the air current, thus separating the initial leaf" product from thestem. and directing it into a suitable collector. The short or broken leaves will be caught bythe repelling roll.

and thrown out to the front of the machine without being permitted to. pass through the stripping'rolls. The'repellingrolls arepreferably longer than the stripping rolls,

so as to lie close to the initial stem gripping carrier, and also have tapered ends for convenient stem entrance. I

The mechanism above described completes the initial, stripping. In practice, I'p'ref'er to do the easier end of the stripping first,

that is, the leaves are laid on'belts loans the 33o I meme? forward end of the belt 6, as shown in dotted lines Fig. 11, with the major portion of thetip ends of the leaf laid on belt 6, the butt ends lying on belt 10. After the leaves have been carried beyond the belt 10, these butt ends of the leaf are free and the tip ends gripped,- so that these .free ends are drawn between the rolls 11 12, and stripped toward the butts or in a direction counter to the grain, which is a relatively easy operation as compared to stripping toward the tips or in the general direction of the leaf grain. After the first stripping operation, it is necessary to catch the initially stripped stems to draw them away from the first stripping carrier and to draw the unstripped portions of the leaf initially gripped between a second set of stripping rolls.

Second stem, gripping carrier, (see Figs. 1. 11 and 6.)16 is an upper endless belt turning on sheaves 17, 18, and 19- is an underbelt member turning on sheaves 20, 21. these belts rotating in the direction indirated by the arrow in Fig. 6, that is, at the right hand side of'the machine. These end less belts constitute the second stem gripping carrier, adapted to grip the stems be tween their opposing faces. These belts are arranged in a line intersecting the line of the belts 3, 6, preferably at right angles, with the gripping portions of the belts 3, 6, traveling between the gripping portions of the belts 16, 19. The rear sheaves 5, 8, for the belts 3, 6, are set slightly apart so as to cause the gripping portion of said belts to diverge from one another at their rear ends commencing atv a point beyond the intersection of these belts with the belts 16, 19. By this meansrthe tip portions of the leaf initially gripped are retained in the clasp of belts 3. 6, as they pass between the gripping portions of belts 16, 19, the latter belts being brought into gripping relation as they emerge from their intersection with belts 3, 6. the free ends of the stems initially stripped being thereby drawn between the gripping portions of belts 16, 19, at a point close to the edges of belts 3, 6, at this interse tion angle, the gripping portions of belts 16, 19, being sutficiently opento receive the said initially stripped stems and immediately closing up to tightly grasp the stems. The initially gripped portions of the leaves are carried on by belts 3, 6, beyond this intersection, but the grip is gradually relaxed owing to the belt-divergence, approximately at the time when the stripped stems are efiectively grippedby belts 16, 19, and after the tip portions of the leaves have been carried on to a position substantially in rear of the second stripping rolls. To assist in properly directing the stripped portions of the stems into the grip of the second carrier and to-ini'luence the stem position preparatory to the second stripping operation, I

preferably provide the guide 1601 extending in a vertical plane parallel with belts 3, 6, and close thereto and just in front of the in tcrsecting point of the carriers. The stripped portions of the stems are drawn through this guide by belts 3, 6, and slightly turned so as toenter'between belts 16, 15), in a direction crosswise of the stems, the leaves gradually turning as the initial grip relaxes, so that the second stem carrier draws the leaves away from the first carrier and through the second stripping rolls in a direction generally lengthwise of the stems, without bending a stem sharply upon itself in a way tending to snap the stem when subjected to the counter forces of a second stripping operation. By these means and this organization the grip is effectively shifted from the first to the sec ond carrier, all the, stems long or short are caught and retained by the second carrier, and even if a leaf is so laid on the feeder that it practically escapes the first stripping operation, itwill be caught by the second gripping carrier and effectively stripped in the second operation. The result is that very minute or inappreciable amounts of the leaves fed to the machine escape the stripping operation and are delivered out between the rear ends of belts 3, 6, and any such accidental tailings can readily be restripped by again presenting them to the feeder end of the mechanism.

The second strapping rolls, (see Figs. 1, 7 and 11.)-22, 23, represent the rolls for the second stripping operation, they are positioned in rear of and substantially parallel with the first stripping rolls 1-1, 12, and instin rear of the second stem gripping belt carrier mechanism 1(, 19. The second carrier takes the stems outwardly toward the right hand end of the machine, the'rolls 22. rotating relatively in the opposite direction or toward the rear end of the machine to provide the counter forces of pulling and stripping described in relation to the first operation. The second carrier and second stripping rolls have the same relation to one another as the initial carrier and initial stripping rolls have to one another, so that tlle'second stripping action is substantially a duplicate of the first. except as to the new direction of travel of the stem and the different portions of the leaf operated upon in this final step. tion it will be understood that after the first. operation the initially stripped butt portions of the stems projectingbeyond the belts 3, 6, are caught by the belts 16. 19, and pulled at right angles to the original direction of travel thereby drawing the stems away from the first carrier and in a direction lengthwise of the stems through the seocnd stripping rolls. the stems entering the second grippers of the second rolls in a directionof more) 4 g rr s From this descrip- 16, 19, the sheaves 18, 21,

' length and thus assistin this final discard of ment presenti r r ie g f ng the stems crosswise to the second grippers and strippers. The stems are finally ejected at the outer ends of belts being elongated to engage a considerable portion of the stem the stem.

the stripping rol la- Thei genera-l principles ofconstruction but (use slightly .inspecific structure; and arrange- -.ment due'to'thejdiiferent portions of" the leaf upon whichthey are designed to operate.fi. v

24'repres'ents the hub of the roll from ,which radially project at regular intervals the T.-shaped members 25, providing the.

. axial grooves 26, the.T -heads forming shoulvderfs 2'1" ,thereby imparting under cutcharacterist ics to said axial grooves.

The stripping elements preferablypcom prisedifierent materials having different resilience, specifically the relatively weak bristles '01 fiber components and the relatively stitf-resilient wire components, closely andi'promiscmously. intermixed and com-' pacted'together'so that their outer extremities, forma continuous, stripping surface shown'in Fig.5}13. To form and secure one of these".stripping-members, the fibers and wires are preferably bound together attheir inner ends by strings 30, the wires being" ,looped' around the rod. 31 so. as to be an- 'chored againstendwisedisplacement. One

. closed by disks v stripping elements-are held between the of: these composite unitaryst-ripping membersvis slipped endwisxinto-each' of said grooves 26, the ends of the rolls then being 32, the bound ends of the "should'ers27. In this way the segmental ser-i es,.of,strippers are secured to project ra- Ydially from the roll with spaces between themrepresented by the T-heads. In the first setofstripping rolls, 33 represents axiallyfextehded strips of flexible material securedfby 'niean's of plates 3st upon the T lieads,* a portion of said material lie's closely, against the adjacent stripping member and-is projected radially beyond the same constituting flexible flaps 35,. Also, in

the first strippin'g-rolls the wire component is less than inthe secondstripping rolls for the reason. that I' preferably first strip the butt end of the'stem in a direction counter .:to the leaf grain. q tion, I preferably strip toward the-tipaor while in the sccond 'operain a general direction of the leaf-grain, which a relatively more (llfilOllli). op'era. tion, and to meet which I increase the1pro-1 of these members to the T-heads by bolt- 38.

other and a proper upon a number of leaves.

The second stripping1 leaf- -stem's,

In this form the nme r plates 37 have mean-- hers 38 lying upon each side of the stripping elements and stripping points.

compacted eral direction,

terminating below the ,the result of which is that the resilient stripping elements yield in a direction substantially endwise of the roll stripping rolls aresubsta-ntially the same in The material is closely between these hinders in a latinstead of circumferentially under the in--' fluence of the 'stem pressure.

{roll to which they are attached, and toward the. strippingfmembers of the opposing roll; The rolls [so formed areset, as shown in Fig. 15, with the stripping members of onc roll inter-meshing with the open spaces of the opposing roll, so that as the rolls are rotated, the stripping members are brought to bear alternativeuponopposite sides of the leaf, the leaf being forced by the strip ping members into the opposing spaces'first Also, the

outer-extremities of these, binders limit the Y These upwardly and their downwardly, thereby \v slightly flexing the stems as diagrammatically indicated in Fig. '16, thus insuring the proper degree of stem embednient into the stripping 'members alternately presented"- from above and below-without opposing any abutments.

sented for -the(functioning of the flexible flaps 35. f

Also, the stripping members. 'are prevented from reacting "upon one anclearance space is pre- ,Rclaz i've"rotations of speeds.'The .operatiqp will be understood from the diagram-' matic view in Fig. 11,'in.which the leaves are shown rather looselylaid on belts 6, 10,

passing through the first stripping rolls inthe'same way so as to operate concurrently,

bed-done owing to thenature of this first strippingcounter tothe leaf grain. The

second stem gripping carrier is somewhat higherspeeded than ,the first so that the leaves separate out asfast as they are caught 'by the secondcarrier to present them one at a, time to thesecond stripping operation.

higher speeded than e first owing to the jqnctionwith the different resilience of the stripping elements of each stripping memrolls are somewhat her, and the generally stiffer character of the r v second rolls, enable this programof stripportion'of the wire component of thesecping to be successfully effected. As before I explainedpthe stripping rolls have tapered abling the leaf to be arranged and distrilr rszem gri 2.-ln order to increase or produce ing motion to the belth3.

see Fig v e p 2.

supported from ll J said frame 2 horiwntall beneath the lower p i the :1" ;cr run-oi belt l) and prefer: eX- tends llctVCtL'll the sheaves or pulley nd 9 to prevent its sagging. 52 represents a freelv thecircumferential portions mere the stripping is acconr plished.

Tune ion 77L72IZ7L7L977L for augment-Soy the an etlective grip on the stems by the second carrier as they are drawn through the ping zone, l first prererably "arm the ing surfaces of the carrier belt with tongue and groove formation 11, see 12, so that thestein is grippedwith clenching action. I also provide the tension means, shown in Figs. 1, 3. t5, '7, andfi. 7

Having described the general features of construction, I will now desm'ibe the (retails.

Div ring mcc um'isrni for ma n stem gripping Carrion-43 represents t. pu ley fixed to the shaft l2, ser ing as the main dr ineans for the carrier belts it represents a gear fixed upon the shaft 42 in mesh with a gear 45 lived upon the shaft 46, the shaft to carrying the sheave or pu ley rotating the same and convey- The sheave or pulley 8, ot the lower carrier belt 6, is fixed to shaft 42 for driving said lovver carrier belt. i

4.7 represents an axle rod upon which the front sheave or pulley at is journalecl and supported, and 48 represents an axle upon which the sheave or pulley 7 of the lower carrier belt 6 is supported and journaled. The pulley 7 is of a width to carry the belt 10, and the opposite end of the belt 10 is supported upon a pulley 9 journaled upon an axle l9 mounted upon the side frames 1 and 2, see Figs. 1 and T. The belts 6 and 10 project beyond the belt 3 to provide a receiving area of belt prior to the engagement of the leaf between the belts 3 and G, en-

nted and present the leaves in separated form rather than in bulk. The adjacent runs of belts 3 and 6 move in the same direction, from the receiving end of belt (3, toward the driving shaft-e2 and are adapted to pass between guide plates adjacent to the initial stripping roll to assist in maintaining the frictional contact 01 the stems between the runs of the belts to draw the same through the rolls. This guiding and tensioninechanisin produces an undulating action, so as to compensate for the various thicknesses of stems. Without releasing any of them. This mechanism ispreterablv constructed as illustrated in lh 51,

n p V plate of flexible material, preferably sheetetal, secured to the supporting bars 53 pro- =ected from the side frame 2 andengaging carrier, it is lit er portion of the lower run ioh tension is brought belts in frictional enother. represents plunger being slidably ve fixed in the cross plate is supported ected from the side frame resents a spring engagend the cross head 56 Ward pressureupon the A series of spring m r and supporte f with the inner ends or the he ts i. nd preferably in rear of the llllLlitl strifopin rolls, with the plungers producing an undulating action upon the stem contacting run of upper belt to individually gr each stein irrespective of its thickness and without permitting a release of an stems of maller diameter edjacent to larger diamete stem. This insures positive carrier action on the stemsin feeding the same through: the stripping rolls.

The initial or main stripping rolls 11 and 12 are journaled an angle to the main stem gripping" carrier and preferably as fol lows rep-resents a shaft, upon which the stripping roll 11 is mounted with the shaft journalecl in the bearings mountedin the side frames 1, 2, respectively, and roll 12 is mounted upon shaft 61 journaled in bearin ts supported upon the side frames 1 and 2. 62 represents a pulley, see Fig. 4e, fixed to the shaft (ll carrying the stripping roll 12, which pulley may be driven from any suitable source of povver supply. represents a gear fixed to shaft 61 in mesh With a gear. (ll fixed on shaft 58 for conveying motion thereto. These rolls travel ina direction opposite to'the travel of the carrierancl run at an appropriate speed to produce a proper stripping action heretofore described with the stem passing between the rolls. -As illustrated in Figs. shafts 58 and 51 are mounted upon the side frames, with the bearing adjusts-biotic en able the peripheries of the rolls 11 and 12 to be moved relatively toward each other to it v aline the same relative to the feeding instru-: 1

mentalitics and correlative to produce the proper stripping action. Each hearing comprises a plate 65 pivota-lly'conneeted at one end to the side frame, the opposite end provided with a slot 36, through which a bolt passes for loci j the plate in vertically adjus ed position (3? represents a hearing sleeve mounted between the screws 68 prothrough the l earing plate. A coinmen tor-n1 f employed shaft and strains. angular pl l (l hich will automatically ali-ne the hereby relieve the shaft of any As these shafts are mounted'in an zne relative to the stem gripping essential to the pertieot operaand 5, the bearings of d istruction of hearing may be tion of the rolls to mount'ithe shaft in what tllG bearing plate providing a'micrometer It is obvious, however, that any well known 1eased by the main carrier. mechanism andv presented to and gripped by a second carriermechanism moving at right angles-to the first, which comprises the upper and lower belts 16 and 19, with the upper belt-sup ported and carried by f 17 .18, and the lower belt 19, by the sheaves or pulleys 20, 21.

As illustrated in Fig. 6 the adjacent gripe ping runs of the belts 16 and 19 traveljre.,-

may be termed floatingbearings. 7 0 repre sents an adjusting screw supported on the; side'frame engaging a nut projected from adjustment, preferably for the upper'roll. form of hearing may be provided containing theajcljustablefeatures above described for controlling the stripping rolls, and for the sheaves or pulleys" maintaining their axial alinement. l spectively above and below the gripping g As heretoforedescribed. repelling rolls 13 runsvof belts 3'and 6 in order to aline the and 14 are journaled in front of the main stem gripping .plane of the two'sets of car-' stripping rolls 11 and 12, and parallel thereriers. I with, with theroll 13 of brush formation, 77 represents a guide plate for directing while the roll 14 .hasa smooth surface of a the uppcr'run of belt 19-toward the adja flexible character andpreferably of rubber. I cent run of belt 16, to bring the same into. Roll 13 is fixed upon a shaft 71 journaled in engagement with each other after they pass 'a bearing formed-in the side frame 1, and the first set of carriers.

. rolll is fixed upon a. shaft 72 journaled in The pulleys or sheaves 17 and 18 and 20 a bearing formed in the side frame 1. and 21 are suitably 'journal'ed in brackets 73 represents a pulley fixed on shaft 72, projecting from the side frames 1 and 2, see Fig."5,-and 74 represents a gear likewise seeFigs. 1 and 6, with the pulley 21 fixed fixed on shaft 72 in mesh witha gear 75 to a shaft 78 extended rearwardtowa-rd the to: imparting motion or rotation to the shaft 42 carrying'the'pulley 8 of the main upper roll 13. The pulley 73 is driven from feedingcarrier mechanism, see Fig. 5. any suitable source, and the. shafts 71,72, 7 9 represents a beveled gear fixed-on the i are mounted in bearings rigidly secured to shaft 78 in mesh with a beveled gear 80 the side frames as adjustment thereof is not fixed on the shaft 12. Thus the power is r necessary. conveyed through the beveled gears 80, and 7 9 The rolls 13 and 1 1 are driven in the same to shaft 78, driving'the pulley or sheave 521.

direction respectively as the rolls 11 and 12 The'upper' belt 16 is driven by its fricand serve as guard'rolls to throw the broken tional engagement with the lower belt 19, or shortleaves backward, which have been but it is obvious that transmission mechareleased from the stem gripping carrier to nism may be employed between the shafts of prevent the same from passing through the two adjacent pulleys of the cross carrier stripping rolls 11 and 12, as such leaf'would belts. The belts have a tendency to stretch havea tendency to interfere with the perconsiderably at times, depending upon the feet operation of the machine and possibly number of stems fed and to prevent slipclog the stripping rolls, owing to. their repage of the belt orbelts upon their pulleys, leaselfrom a positive feed. The leaf in its I provide a roller 81, see Figs. 5 and 6, travel passes between setsof main strip adapted to engage the belt preferably uponping rolls 11 and 12 and repelling or guard the driving pulley and thereby maintain the rolls 13 and 14, with the stemmed leaf dibelt in driving contact with its pulley; The rooted downward by means of an air blast roller 81 is journaled upon a rod 82 pro- 5 downwardly into a receptacle or receiver.

a i of the stripp ng diate of said set of rolls, which will influence increasing the capacity of the roll, and also,

rolls, .it is substantially simult jetting from. the pipe 15 disposed intermejected from a bracket 83, but it is obvious that other means may be employed for accomplishing thesame results.

The crossorsecondcarrier mechanism 1s also provided with tension mechanism constructed substantially the same as heretofore described for the main carrier. mechanism, comprising a series of spring control ed plungers bearing upon an elastic plate. This mechanism is shown in Figs. .2, 3, and 6. 85v represents an elastic plate bearing against the meeting runs of the carrier belts 16,19, and 86represents a cross plate for support-- ing' the springactuated plungers 8T. These is advantageous for properly presenting the produce the same undulating action, as hereleaf to the second stemming operation, that tofore described, as the stems pass the plunof stemming from the butt toward the leaf gers for effectively gripping each stem. end. As the stems move forward out of en- This, together with the inter-meshing effect gagementv with the first set of stripping j of the belts 16 and 19 longitudinally with the travel thereof insures 'a very secure gripthe severed leaf or tissue and retard any feeding action thereof toward the stripping rolls and without'elfecting any action on the stem, but direct the loose tissue oflthe leaf Owing to the angularity'of the stripping rolls relative to the carrier-mechanism, the stem has a tendency to travel from one end rolls to the opposite end l thereof, providing clearance for successive stems and divides: the stems from each other,

ancously re- I side frames 1 and 2.

j be variously modified as long oewe?- ping of each individual stein, irrespective of the irregularity of the diameters of the stems, with each stem gripped against dis placement in its feeding direction with the carrier, and pulling direction through the second set of stripping rolls. The carrier belts l6 and 19 convey the stems to a pointof discharge. 89' represents a guard roll supported upon the side frame 1, see Figs. 1 and 6, adjacent to the ends of the second stripping rollers 92, 23, to prevent the'stems from passing beyond such end of the rolls.

The second set of stripping rolls having been heretofore described in detail, I will now describe the transmission mechanism therefor.

99 represents a pulley, see Figs. 1 and 4, mounted upon a shaft 91, upon which shaft the lower stripping roll 22 is mounted or fixed, and which shaft is supported in adjustable floating bearings mounted upon the The construction of the bearings is substantially the same as has heretofore been described for the first set of gripping rolls.

92 represents a gear fixed upon shaft 91 in mesh with a gear 93, fixed upon shaft 94,-, upon which shaft is mounted the upper stripping roll 23 of the second set of strip 'ping rolls.

The pulley 90 is driven from any suitable source of power and the upper shaft 94 is also mounted in adjustable floating bearings, enabling thetwo rolls 22, 23, to be adjusted relatively to each other.

As shown, the two sets of stripping rolls and repelling rolls are driven by independent belt transmission and at speeds varying relatively to each other, as heretofore de scribed, being the preferred form of transmissiom but it is obvious that a single driving belt maybeemployed for the combined series with trains'of gearing connecting the shaft of the various rolls without. departing from the features of my invention. In fact. the specific details of construction herein shown and described for driving the various rolls, their relative positions and the feeding or carrier mechanism for the stems may as they possess the essential characteristics referred to at the beginning of this description of my invention.

From this disclosure .it will be apparent that my invention comprises, mechanism for gripping the stem of the leaf near one end, drawing the ungr nped portion through stripping rollers wo king in opposition to 2 -e travel of the leaf, then delivering the stripped portion of the stem into the grip of the second pulling instrumentality, causing the leaf to travel at an angle to its first direction of travel. and drawing the unstripped portion of the leaf initially gripped through a second set ofstripping 'rolls worlaing in opposition to the new direction oftravel. The stem-must begripped with a degree of tension suthcient to withstand the counter-drag of the stripping rolls, which is a constant and considerable force exerted in opposition to the direction of pullof the stern gripping carrier, and the relationship and character of the two stem gripping carriers is shown to be such, that the stems are not bent into sharp angles at any point in their travel, since these counter forces of pulling and stripping will snap the more fragile'stems if they are permitted: to be so bent.

In the. preferred arrangement shown, the second grip catches the butt portionof the initially strippcdstem at point immediately adjacent to the line of travel of the initial stem gripping carrier, so that all the stems, long or short, are necessarily caught by thesecond stem gripping carrier: The new direction of travel draws the initially gripped portion of the leaf away from the initial gripping carrier and through the second stripping rolls, following a path substantially corresponding to the line occupied by the stem as initially gripped, thereby preserving the same relative positions and conditions of grippin pulling and stripping in each of these sequential operations.

hen the tip stripping rolls are made as shown, the peripheral elements comprise binding elements, as well as relatively stiff resilient members, that is, the wires, and relatively soft resilient members, that is, the

fibers, so that the strippers unitarily considered somewhat correspond as to their components to the different physical characteristics of the product to be treated, comprising stems. veius and leaf web, of differentially graded strength and texture.

A flexible strip or strips of the character shown presents a loose portion expanding under the influence of centrifugal force providing a radially yielding surface functioning when expanding to clear the stripping extremities and to urge the product toward the opposing strippers, and functioning when yielding under the pressure of leaf prcseir tation to more or less efiectively expose the strippers enabling them to separate the web from the stem without unduly mauling the stripped product.

Inasmuch as theveins, and even the web,

are tougher and of more tenacious attachment at the butt end of the stem, there is great practical advantage in stripping this ,end of the leaf first, and in a direction counter to the grain, while the veins and web being relatively more tender toward the tip end of the leaf, in the second operation the separation is easily effected by drawing the hip between the second stifier rolls in the vdirection toward the tip, or with the grain.

If the tip end of the leaf were" stripped first it would be more difiicult for the second carrier to grip and hold thc cleaned, fragile tapering end of the stem and the stems would be more liable to break in the second stripping operation. Another useful result is the production of an 'etficientand uniform tension on the stem gripping carriers, to increa'seth'e gripping functions and to automatically accommodate the grip to the inequalities of different sized stems, whereby a great number of stems ofdifferent size may be concurrently handled by the belt car rien; Another-[result is, the provision of a machine which is very rapid as well as'efli cient 111 its operation, which -completely. and

: cleanly strips the stems, and in which a large quantity of stems can be stripped "at.

the same time without any great care on the part of the ,operator in placing the stems on the initial. feeding belt. In other'words, the bundles of leaves can be simply cut and loosely laid upon the receiving belt. Another useful result is the provision of means for rejecting the broken of short leaves to .25

prevent their being passed through thema:

chine and to deliver therejected matter separately from the finished leaf product. :The pair of rejecting rolls is arranged parallel to.

adjacent to, and in front of the first pair of stripping rolls, an d'rotating in relatively the same. direction, that is, in the direction tending to throw broken or short leaves backward and not permitting them to go through the first pair of strippingrolls. It is well known that in a. bundle ofleaves there will be some short or bro-kenleaves-and also some I very slender or delicate stems, some of which maybe broken-by the action of the first pair of stripping rolls. Itis therefore desirable to.-. separate the broken leaves from the cleaned strips.

The provision of/ felatively weak' resilient stripping elements-for the first operation and relatively: stifi'i resilient 'strip'ping ele ments for the second operation, enables the strippingofthe butt end first in a direction toward the butt, and the final stripping of the 'tipportion initially gripped in .a direction toward the tip. This order of stripping in association with strippers having definite differential-efficiency.is of the utmost importance completely and closely stripped stems. The

inproducing uniform results and rotation of the second rolls and the second 1 carrier at relatively higher speed ratios than talities cooperating with said means to complete the stripping. v

2. In a tobacco stemming machine, two sets of stem gripping carriers and stripping rolls,.said carriers and rolls being arranged and operated so that one end of the leaf is gripped while the other end is stripped and then the stripped end ofthe stem is gripped. I while the other end of the leaf is stripped, and

means rendering a differential stripping etli ciency in the two operations, the minor etfi ciency stripping being toward thebutt-and the major efliciency stripping being toward the tip of the leaf;

3. ln a tobacco leafstemming machine, means for gripping the stem and successively drawing theleaf first in;one 'line of travel and then in another line of travel,

stripping in'strumentalities adapted to operate upon the leaf in each of its lines of travel,

and means transposing the order ofleaf ad van'cementintermediate the two stripping operations hereby the opposite ends of the leaf are stripped ,in successive-operations.

at. Ina tobacco leaf stemming machine, a stem gripping carrier, two sets of stripping rolls located upon one side thereof and at an angle thereto, and a second pulling device located upon the same side of the carrier,

adapted to grip the stripped portion of'the stem and draw it angularlyaway from the stem gripping carrier and through the second set of stripping rolls. 4

In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a stem gripping carrier, stripping rolls therefor, pulling means adapted to grip the stripped portion of thestem and draw the lea-f at an angle to its first direction of travel and away fromthe stem gripping carrier, and stripping rollsfor said second named pulling devices, both of said stripping instruineiitalities and the supplemental pnlL ing devices being positioned wholly upon one side of the initial stein gripping carrier 16. In a tobacco'leaf stemming machine, a

stem. gripping carrier, an angularly disposed pair'o f' stripping rolls therefor, gripping and .Jpulling means adapted to grip the stripped portion of the stem after the first 0 ieration to draw the initially gripped leaf portion from the first carrier, a pair of stripping rolls cotiperating withsaid second gripping and pulling means to complete the stripping, said first rolls having stripping elements relatively soft. adapted to operate counter to the leaf grain, enabling the butt end of the'steni to be first stripped in this direction; and said second rolls having relatively harsh stripping elements,-enabling'- the tip portion of, the leaf initially gripped to be finally stripped in the general direction of the leaf grain.

7. In a tobacco propellers operating in'intersecting lines of leaf stemming machine,- two sets of'cotiperating stem gripping leaf v travel, and s** with ezn'h of sun 8. In u ttilnu'i'u lent stemming combination with t of stem gripthe stem grip a intersection, mirriers deterini 1 time when i. In a minis? l at stemming me P 'n'e, i' ith two sets of inentiilii he. an initial stein g 'mnisin adapted to p' w; t to the first st 'ipping ins" stein gripping ippii surfaces of th ssing )etWeen the rier ennbiing the ant the other end of the 0 leaf stemming vo setseof str ad stein gripping sloped to present 7 first stripping innni stem gripping can (:lliig the line of carrier, the grip carrier passing bezines of the second travel of the ii 1- ping surfaces two sets or all initial stein rier Inechnnisi travel of hie fi feces the ripping sur esns relaxing carrier at a adapted t the offeoti point be v'imd adopted to q member ermining the at the time the grip shifted and enabling the second carrier to present the other end of the leaf to the second stein gripping carrier.

carrier passing throng} tnees of the second car i the gripping sur rier, means -relaxing the eiiective grip of the first carrier ht a point beyond the intersection, pair of stripping rolls angulsrly arr ,tion with the first carrier, at second pair of anged in juxtaposistripping rolls angnlarly arranged in juxtaposition with and in rear of the second carrier, and means coasting with said carriers influencing the stem period when the stem g position during the up is shifted.

14. In a tobacco leaf sten'iniin machine n a 2iv pair or stem gripping carrier endl ss belts,

the lower member being beyond the ripper member, a cooperating projected forwardly carrier endless feed belt arranged in parallelism with the extende d end of the under belt member of the stem gripping and carrier mechanism cooperating therewith to hold the leaves in extendechposition at the gripping point, and n ranged stripping rolls disposed to one side of said stem grip In a tobacco leaf a pair of stein gripping carrier endless beits,

niir of angulzirly ar ping carrier.

stemming machine;

two airs of stripping rolls arranged in ap proximately the sanie angle relative to the line of the belts an side thereof, and

two sets of stripping d positioned upon the same a second stein gripping carrier instrunient-nlity operating between the K 5 rolls adapted to catch the initially stripped stem and draw the unstripped portion of the leaf through said second stein gripping rolls. I 16. in a tobacco lent;

a pair of stern gripping carrier endless belts, two pairs of stripping proximately in the same stemming nmchine,

rolls arranged zipzingle relative to the of the belts and positioned upon the side thereof,

and a second pair of stem gripning earlier endless belts intersecting L ave}. 0

first belt and disppmg rolls adapted strigjied stems and u my from the and through the seenniing .inachine, dially secured to. ed in segments, ii secured to roll means presenting a,

stemming machine,

'roll having longitudinal binders, resilient .into operative relation with the roll.

end of the leaf and drawing the other end formed with a series of pockets extending roll a stripping surface, each having differthe influence of centrifugal force, and yield- 1 ing under radial pressure,';and Efneans presenting the leaf to the stri 'aping action.

19. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, coacting rolls comprising relatively rigid, radially yieldable and relatively soft resilient members secured to the rolls, and means presenting the leaf to the stripping action.

20. In a machine of the class described, a

strippers closely compacted between said binders, forming a yielding surface extending radially beyond the binders, there being non-stripping roll surfaces defined by ,the binders, and means gripping one end of the leaf and drawing the other end of the leaf a circumferential 21.111 a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a roll having brush material radially extending from the axis and closely compacted circumferentially, forming a yielding periph eral stripping surface, and binding members longitudinally projected from the roll and extending axially, but terminating below the brush surface, and means gripping one of lthe leaf into operative relation with the rol v v 22. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a roller having a peripheral brush surface. of closely intermixed and. compacted fiber and metallic wire, constituting differentially resilient stripping elements, disposed in longitudinally extending segments with spaces intervening.

23. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine,

rupted peripheral surface with metallic wire embedded therein to form differential resilient stripping elements compactly massed into a series of successive stripping segments. i

24. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a stripping roller, the priphery of which is from one end of the roll to the other and separated from one another circumferentially of the roll, fiber and metallic wire closely compacted within each pocket, so as to yield relatively freely in a direction endwise of the roller, thereby forming on each ential resilient characteristics.

25. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a stripping roll comprising brush material radially projected from the axis of the roll, longitudinally extending binders projecting, radially from the axis of the 011, the brush material being compacted bet en said binders, so as to yield or flex relatively fi eely in a direction endwise of the roll and less freely in a direction circumferentially of the roll. the extremities of the brush material" opposition to ping portions ofprojecting radially beyond the ends of the ers and forming a segmental yielding ing surface.

In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a -'-":-ipping roll composed of closely compact-ed brush-like' material radially projected from the axis of the roll and forming stripping surface, the extremities of the brush forming the'surface being coated with a mucilaginous substance.

27. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a pair of carrier belts adapted to grip the stem between their adjacent surfaces, a strip of resilient metal bearingupon a give'n' section of one of the belts, a series of closely arranged and independently actuated spring plungers bearing upon said yieldin of metal to increase the of the belts and-to provi strip] gripping e ciency e yielding accommodation for'the inequalities of a plurality i of stems concurrently passing the plungers. 28. Ina tobacco leaf stemming machine, a stem gripping carrier, an angularly disposed pair of stripping rolls operatingin opposition to the pull of the carrier, anda pair of rejecting rolls, one having flexible repellers radially projectedfrom the periphery disposed in front of the stripping rolls and rotating in directions tending to throw out short leaves.

29. In a tobaccoleaf stemming machine,

a stem gripping carrier, an angularly dis: posed pair of stripping rolls operating the pull of the carrier, a pair of rejecting rolls disposed in front of thesaid rolls and rotating in a direction tending to throw out short leaves, and a blower interposed between the rejecting and strip rolls adapted to influence the rejection of broken or short leaves preventing them from entering the stripping rollsj 30. In-a tobacco leaf stemming machine, two sets of coacting stem gripping carriers, and stripping rolls,- grip the tip portion of the leaf and strip the butt portion of the stem counter t o the leaf grain, then to grip the initially stripped butt the stems drawing the initially gripped tip portion of the leaf from the initial gripping carrier and between the second stripping rolls, stripping in a direction toward the tip or'in the general direction of the leaf grain.

31. In atobacco leaf stemming machine,

' stripping rolls two stem gripping carriers, cooperating with said carriers, one set of rolls having minor efficiency and the other set of rolls major efiiciency stripping elements, the rolls and carriers being relatively arranged to enable one portion of the leaf to be drawn through the rolls havin the minor elements in a direction toward the butt, and the other portion ofthe-leaf to be drawn through the'rolls having the major elements in a direction toward the tip.

32. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine,

fioo

arranged to initiallyi the other pair of We. s tsof endless stem gripping carriers, I

he fi t dapted to. hold the tip portion of the leaf, and the second to catch and hold the initially stripped butt portion the stem, rolls having stripping elements disposedto cooperate with said carriers, the stripping elements of; ne pair of rolls being of minor efliciency as compared to. the strinping elements of the other pair of rolls, and means for rotat ng said carriers and rolls in appropriate directions, one pair of rolls ro.-'

t-ating relatively at a higher speed ratio than rolls, one carrier being driven at a relatively faster rate of travel than the other carrier, enabling one'opera tion to strip from an intermediate portion of theleaf toward the butt, counter to the leaf grain, and the other operation to strip the tip portion of the leaf in a general direction toward the tip or with the leaf grain.

in a tobacco leaf stemming machine,

two, sets of endless stem gripping carriers,-

ping elements of the second rolls, and means for rotating said carriers and rolls in appropriate directions, the second rolls rotating relatively at a higher speed ratio than the first rolls, enabling the first operation to strip from an intermediate portion of the leaf toward the butt, counter to the leaf grain, and the second operation to strip "the tip portion of the leafin a general direction toward the tip or with the leaf grain.

3a. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine,

- two sets of endless stem gripping carriers,

the first adapted to hold the tip portion of the leaf, and the second to catch and hold the initially stripped bntt portion oi the stem. rolls having stripping elements disposed to cooperate with said carriers, the stripping elements of the first rollsv being of minor ethci'ency as compared to the stripping elc merits of the second rolls, and means for rotating said carriers and rolls in aopropriat'e directions, enabling the first operation to strip from an intermediate portion oi the leaf toward the butt, counter to the mat grain, andthe second operation to strip the tip portion of the leaf in a general. direction toward the tip or with the leaf grain.

In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a roll having closelycompacted relatively soft resilient material radially secured to the roll, and relatively harsh resilient stripping elements embedded into the soft. material, constituting stripping elements of diiierential resilience, and means limiting the depth of stem emhedmentinto the yield ing surface so formed.

'36." in a tobacco lest stemming machine, aroli, closely compacted resilient stripping eiements radially projected from the roll,

, and a series ofiaxial binders for the stripp ng elements terminating below the perip eral surface, and adapted to limit the depth of; stem embedment into the-yielding snr-f face termed by the of the strippers.

37. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a roll, stripping elements of ,diiierent material and different resilience closely compacted and radially secured to said roll.

38. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine} a projecting extremities roll formed with axiallyextending under cut grooves and resilient material radially extended from and anchored in said grooves,

said material being laterally compacted between the shoulders defined by said under cut formations.

39. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a roll formed with axially extending under cut grooves. resilient fibers and wires radially projecting from said grooves, the wires being anchored in the direction toward the axis, said intermixed components being lat,

crally compacted and secured between the shoulders defined by said under cut formations.

40. in a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a stem gripping carrier comprising two endless belts, the gripping surfaces having a tongue and groove format-ion, cooperatingstripping devices, and tension mechanism c0- operating with the opposing belt faces to influence the gripping force while the leaf is being traversed through the stripping zone.

ll. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a

pair of rolls having circumferential por-- trons, one of said rolls having a tapered endfor stem entrance to'said circumferential portions, each roll having a series otaxially extending resilient strippers arranged with interveningspaces, said rolls. being set with the stripping members of one rollinter- 1 a: taces ul meshing with the axial spaces of the opposing roll.

42. in a toba co leaf stemming machine, a pair of endless carrier belts adapted to grip the st s, a pair, of angnlarly disposed strippln rolls, and a series of independent tension li'QS presslng the gripping sur the belts yieldingly together, said tension derices being disposed to augmentthe grip on the stems during the period when they are subjected to the counter-drag of the strippin rolls, and to automatically accommodate t e gripping elements to in equalities of the products,

, Ina tobacco-leaf stemming machine, a roll having stripping elements, and a flexible flap secured to the roll and radially'prm jactable beyond the outer extremities of said; stripping elements 44. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, a roll, resilient stripping elements arranged to'form a longitudinal segment of the roll and radially projecting therefrom, and members longitudinally extending across said roll and radially projected therefrom laterally compacting the projecting poretions of said stripping elements causing said elements to flex in a direction generally endwise of the roll instead-of circumferentially when a stem is embedded into the sureach operation.

stem gripping carriers,

face formed by the outer extremities of the compacted stripping elements.

45. In a tobacco stemming machine, two

stripping rollsfcoacting with said carriers respectively, said carriers having acomnion stem gripping zone intermediate the two sets of stripping rolls, and said carriers being arranged for 'transposing the order .of leaf advancement intermediate the two stripping operations, enabling the leaf to be drawn tip foremost for one stripping and butt foremost for. the other stripping, the stem being gripped and drawn substantially in thesame way for 46. Ina tobacco stemming machine, means for gripping and drawing one end of a leaf, a c'oacting pair of stripping rolls, and a centrifugally expanded and radially yieldable roll-member cooperating with roll stripping elements. Y

' 47. In a'tobacco stemming machine, means for gripping and'drawing a leaf end, a co-.

acting-pair of stripping rolls, and radially projecting longitudinally extending strippingsegments on said rolls, operating upon stem gripping carrier,

1 merits,

opposite sides of the leaf, with circumferential openings defined by the segments.

48. In a tobacco stemming machine, a a pair of stripping rolls formed with radially projected, longitudinally extending stripping surfaces, with circumferential openings defined by p and a flexible member secured to the non-strippingsurface of a roll adjacent a seg'ment having a centrifugally expanded andradially yielding surface operating under the influence of roll rotation to urge the leaf toward one stripping segment, and- 'away from the segment of the roll to which said member is attached.

49. In a tobacco stemming machine, a

stem gripping carrier, a pair of stripping ing between the seg-.

rolls formed with radially projected, longiacting stripping segments with non-stripping surfaces defined by the segments, one

of the rolls having a tapered end adjacent the carrier, thestripping segment extending longitudinally on said tapered end, the-gripping belt runs passing between the end open the rolls defined by said taper formation.

51. In a tobacco stemming machine, two

sets of stem gripping carriers and stripping rolls arranged for sequential and coordinate operation, the stripping being toward the butt in one instance and toward the tipan the other instance, said rolls having stripping and non-stripping surfaces, and said stripping surfaces constituting a major and a minor efliciency stripping in. the sequential operations, g

'52. In a tobacco stemming machine, two sets of stem gripping carriers and stripping rolls arranged for sequential and coordinate operation, the stripping being toward the butt in one instance and toward the tip in the other instance, said rolls having stripping and non-stripping surfaces, said stripping surfaces constituting a ma or and a minor efliciency stripping in the sequential operations, and the stripping surfaces of each pair of rolls having a differential stripping efliciency.

In testimony whereof, I hare hereunto set my hand.

' ,mnns r; scovnm.

Witnesses:

OLIVER B. KAISER,

EMMA SPENER.

55 'tudinally extending stripping surfaces, with 

